Research >> Economics
New orders for manufactured goods increased 0.8% in March 2021
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Summary
New orders for manufactured goods in March, up ten of the last eleven months, increased $5.8 billion or 1.1 percent to $512.9 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. This followed a 0.5 percent February decrease. Shipments, also up ten of the last eleven months, increased $10.8 billion or 2.1 percent to $513.6 billion. This followed a 1.9 percent February decrease. Unfilled orders, up three consecutive months, increased $4.5 billion or 0.4 percent to $1,087.8 billion. This followed a 0.9 percent February increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.21, down from 6.30 in February. Inventories, up seven of the last eight months, increased $5.2 billion or 0.7 percent to $707.7 billion. This followed a 0.8 percent February increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.38, down from 1.40 in February.
New Orders
New orders for manufactured durable goods in March, up ten of the last eleven months, increased $2.0 billion or 0.8 percent to $256.9 billion, up from the previously published 0.5 percent increase. This followed a 0.9 percent February decrease. Fabricated metal products, up six of the last seven months, led the increase, $1.4 billion or 4.0 percent to $35.4 billion. New orders for manufactured nondurable goods increased $3.8 billion or 1.5 percent to $256.0 billion.
Shipments
Shipments of manufactured durable goods in March, up six of the last seven months, increased $7.0 billion or 2.8 percent to $257.6 billion, up from the previously published 2.5 percent increase. This followed a 3.7 percent February decrease. Transportation equipment, also up six of the last seven months, led the increase, $3.8 billion or 4.9 percent to $82.2 billion. Shipments of manufactured nondurable goods, up ten of the last eleven months, increased $3.8 billion or 1.5 percent to $256.0 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent February decrease. Petroleum and coal products, also up ten of the last eleven months, led the increase, $2.1 billion or 4.4 percent to $50.8 billion.
Unfilled Orders
Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in March, up three consecutive months, increased $4.5 billion or 0.4 percent to $1,087.8 billion, unchanged from the previously published increase. This followed a 0.9 percent February increase. Fabricated metal products, up eleven consecutive months, led the increase, $2.3 billion or 2.8 percent to $83.0 billion.
Inventories
Inventories of manufactured durable goods in March, up two consecutive months, increased $4.3 billion or 1.0 percent to $431.9 billion, unchanged from the previously published increase. This followed a 0.7 percent February increase. Transportation equipment, also up two consecutive months, led the increase, $2.1 billion or 1.4 percent to $149.0 billion. Inventories of manufactured nondurable goods, up seven of the last eight months, increased $0.9 billion or 0.3 percent to $275.8 billion. This followed a 0.9 percent February increase. Petroleum and coal products, up five consecutive months, drove the increase, $1.1 billion or 2.9 percent to $38.4 billion. By stage of fabrication, March materials and supplies increased 0.8 percent in durable goods and 0.5 percent in nondurable goods. Work in process increased 1.0 percent in durable goods and decreased 0.3 percent in nondurable goods. Finished goods increased 1.2 percent in durable goods and 0.4 percent in nondurable goods.
Posted: May 4, 2021 Tuesday 10:00 AM